Boise, ID -- 08/25/2020 -- Boise School Board of Trustees approved giving the District Administration the authority to begin an incremental, phased approach to returning students to school for in-person learning once Central District Health moves the Boise School District into Category 2 (yellow). The Board also directed the administration to continue to incorporate guidance from local health officials as students return to school.
According to Central District Health’s Back-To-School Framework, schools in Category 2 can open with the option of limited/staggered use of school buildings with physical distancing and sanitation in place. Trustees agreed with CDH and District Administration that a slow, staggered approach gives the District the opportunity to return to in-person learning for students while minimizing the risks associated with large numbers of students returning all at once.
Boise School District’s Pandemic Operation Plans call for extensive safety measures that will be in place at schools under Category 2, including physical distancing, hand washing, wearing of masks and sanitation/disinfecting.
On August 17, 2020 students in the Boise School District began the 2020-21 school with all instruction being provided online. Since that time, Central District Health has reported that the average daily number of COVID-19 cases in our community is trending downward, warranting a possible move from the current Category 3 - Substantial Community Transmission of COVID-19 to Category 2 - Minimal to Moderate Community Transmission of COVID-19. Central District Health is expected to make a decision about the category change at the September 1, 2010 Central District Health Board of Health Meeting.
Boise School District plans to release details regarding the phased return to in-person school for students following the decision by the Central District Health Board of Health.
It’s important to note that any staggered/limited in-person instruction will not affect students who are currently enrolled in Boise Online School. Per Boise Online School procedures, students enrolled in BOS are committed to online learning for the remainder of the semester.
